The Delaware ledger. (Newark, Del.) 1879-19??, 1887-07-23


glance at her mistress. But the lat
ter only smiled languidly.
"You need not go, Paulita. Con-
tinue your work" And to her Wis
itor: This is my seamstress. She
is an excellent little creature you
need not mind her at all"
"No ?" said the visitor, good hui
moredly ; but she glanced sharply
at the girl. And presently, when
she had spoken a little with her
friend, she appeared greatly inter
osted in what the seamstrcss was
doing.
She was woman with Il heavy,
almost coarse voice. And when she
suddenly addressed Paulita the girl
started and grew shade paler
"That is very peculiar ring you
wear"
eyes, madam" said Paulita in Il
low voice.
evil you oblige me by letting me
look at it ?"
Paulitl's breath came hard for
moment. Her checks began to
crimson. She slowly drew the band
from her finger and carried it to the
visitor.
Certainly, madam" she said, but
rather indistinctly.
"Ahemp said the lady. "Yes.
Very quaint. Quite rocco, l may
say. May ask where you got it p
Paulitia's checks grew more like
scarlet
at was "A gift" she answered.
"Ah! And for how much could
l induce you to part with it 2"
Paulitia's head was raised proud
ly.
"For no money! she said.
You really mean you would not
like to let it go? 1t is very valua-
BILE, is it not ?"
1t is priceless" said the girl gain
ing some courage
Her mistress smiled languidly as
she sat watching
"Do you really fancy the ring p
she inquired of her caller
The latter nodded briskly.
81 want it very much"
"Oh, well, Paulita," said her mis-
tress, 'let Mrs. Van Campcn have
the ring if she chooses to buy it from
you. Who gave it to you any
way p
MY sweetheart gave it to me,
said Paulita, after Il silence, in which
she seemed nerving herself for some
thing.
at is-my-engagement ring.
Nobody ON earth-no money could
buy it from me-" Her eyes were
fixed on the treasure as she spoke
jealously.
"Ahem !" said the caller. EN-
gagement ring? | wonder who the
thief was ? You see this ring is
mine. ! can identify it by the In
side. haven't looked yet and
couldn't read it without my glasses
but | think younger eyes could find
the letters r. and II and date
The ring is older than it looks. 'Peo-
pie do not use good turquoises CON
stantly. They are easily discolored.
: Paulita stood motionlcss. Nc
sound came from her lips. The
scarlet had faded from her checks
A sickness, deathly feeling had
come upon hel. What did it mean
Her-Rogers-ring Stolen This
woman knew the inscription.
The room seemed going around
She was dizzy, faint.
And then the callers voice fell up.
on her again through the darkness.
"Of course | don't doubt you
came by it honestly, my poor girl
but nevertheless it is-or was-my
ring. Your sweetheart probably
bought it at a pawnshop where il
had been left-hal la! by my
scape-grace of Il nephew. My favor
lite nephew, my incorrigible. Al
ways into scrapes and always hay.
ing to be helped out. suppose
(she was talking to Paulita's mis-
tress now young men must be
young men, and young rascals Il;
well. Only fancy that scalawag o
a Roger-you know my nephew
Roger IIastings-only fancy hi,
pawning my ring. missed it 4
; good while since. 3' = = Here
my good girl"-lor Paulitia hat
turned and walked unsteadily, hat
. they but seen or cared. Here, my
my girl i; l will not claim the ring
unless you choose to accept fai
equivalent"
r Paulita returned, put out he
hand blindly and took the ring
Her heart was dead, cold, horribl,
within her. Was ROGER Hastinp